Dear Editor,

This past week has taken a toll on me after the loss of my best friend, Shane Anthony Peoples-Welch. It’s difficult to face the reality that he’ll no longer be here with me. It’s going to be really hard for me, as well as the rest of the Grand Valley family, to cope without seeing that big smile that’ll light up someone’s gloomy day. It’s going to be even harder to know that I will never receive another “BF!!!” text from him. Earlier this year, I lost my grandmother, and both of these individuals meant a lot to me; both were people I confided in. Shane was there for me when my grandmother passed, he was always telling me to be strong and to remember that she will always with be here with me in spirit. I’ve been trying to take his advice as a way to handle his passing; however, it is not working. I can’t believe it still, maybe because I am still in shock.

Shane was there for me when I needed him most and even when I really didn’t.

A lot of people expressed, during the memorial, that they met Shane via Facebook; well that is exactly how we met. It all started with a poem he wanted to share with me. Writing poetry was Shane’s second love to basketball; he was not afraid to share them with anyone. He used his poetry as a way to put a smile on the faces of others. If you weren’t smiling, Shane would put his best foot forward to make at least a smirk appear. He was just a caring person. At first appearance, you’d think he’s going to be a big scary dude, but he’s really a big teddy bear with a big heart. And to know that’s what caused his death is what hurts the most.

Shane really made his mark here, on campus and on Earth. The one person I knew on campus that everyone loved and never had anything negative to say about. With his passing, people should carefully view their lives and began to live by the example that Shane set with his. Never turning down an opportunity to assist anyone, Shane was a model of what being a human being meant. I am blessed to have spent these past three-and-a-half years with him in my life and as my best friend. Hopefully someday, I will be able to get through this and realize that he is still here with me, here in my heart.

Sincerely,

Erikka Simpson